Amaya Harris, a 15‑year‑old basketball prodigy from Troy, New York, is swapping the familiar halls of Troy High for the rigorous campus of Darrow School, a New England prep powerhouse known for its elite athletic programs.
A Calculated Move Toward the Pros
Darrow School, a member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), is chasing a 2025 Class AA championship, a goal that aligns with Harris’s own aspiration to reach the pinnacle of Division I basketball.
Having led Troy to a Colonial Council title and earned Most Valuable Player honors as a freshman, Harris reclassified to the Class of 2030 and is already training under Darrow’s coaching staff, including guard mentor Jelani Williams, who praised her performance at the recent New York vs. New York showcase.
Her father, Will Harris, a former college player, guided the family’s decision to decline multiple prep‑school offers, emphasizing that Darrow’s structured environment best supports a serious athlete’s development.
While Troy’s recent Class AA sectional final highlighted local talent, Harris noted that many of her peers there do not share the same Division I ambitions, a contrast she finds motivating as she seeks daily competition against equally driven opponents.
The move represents more than a change of school; it is a strategic step toward mastering the skills, discipline, and exposure required to attract top collegiate programs and, ultimately, a professional career.